[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I love Walter Williams, but in this case he is missing an important point. Smoking affects the air the rest of us breathe. Granted the secondhand smoke studies were probably trumped up. But they aren't entirely wrong either. Even if you just say the smoke is bothersome to non-smokers, you have a case of one person's freedom restricting another person's freedom.

That's not to say I think taxing cigarettes more is fair. Nor do I favor most anti-smoking measures. (Let's be real; there are some places that must ban smoking -- like hospitals). However, smokers have themselves to blame a lot of times because they are rude about their nasty habit.

[CSM]

"Even if you just say the smoke is bothersome to non-smokers, you have a case of one person's freedom restricting another person's freedom."

The smoking restrictions are not an issue of the smoker's rights vs. the non-smoker's rights. Neither the smoker, nor the non-smoker trump the rights of the property owner. However, the legislative actions that ban smoking in privately owned establishments have allowed the anti-smoking zealot's rights to trump the property owner's rights.

I am fine with allowing the owner to make the decision and then allowing the market to reward or punish that owner for his decision.

Of course, you will see many FReepers that don't like the free market.

[Small-L]

As a non-smoker, I agree with you, but I also will defend the smoker's rights, too. What's wrong with smoking/non-smoking sections in resturants (We've made all resurants non-smoking here in GA). I had no problem with smoking and non-smoking section in airplanes. Let the free market solve the issues. If a bar wants to be a smoking bar and the one across the street wants to be non-smoking, then let the market decide which one survives--hopefully both.

Williams is right. Where does it stop?

[backinthefold]

Smoking affects the air the rest of us breathe

 

When I first became pregnant, I was highly sensitive to smells, don't ask me why, and I am still this way. I got on an elevator and a man had taken an "Elvis shower" with his cologne. I lasted one floor before I had to get off, and run to the nearest restroom.

 

I feel that its not only smoking that affects the air we breath, what about over doing perfume? Failure to use deodorant? Both of these affect my air? Is that ok with you?

 

and yes, I am a smoker, and I am a very careful to respect non smokers around me, for I am treated like a pariah, I will not act like one.

[Mister Da]

Even if you just say the smoke is bothersome to non-smokers, you have a case of one person's freedom restricting another person's freedom.

I believe this is a socialist trap! Many things are bothersome to somebody. Too much perfume or cologne, BO, BBQ smoke, joggers, dogs/cats, peanuts on an airplane or in school, scantily clad men/women, loud people, unruly children, & on & on & on.

Passing more laws to regulate what is at most poor manners is absurd. It can only lead to everyone wearing the same clothes, driving the same car, & living in gov't communes. In other words, North Korea.

But as long as we are banning things, I'd like to see small children banned from the grocery store, Walmart, the park, & restaurants. Or at least limit them to a separate area. See how absurd people can be?

[elkfersupper]

I love Walter Williams, but in this case he is missing an important point.

No, you're missing his point.

You can't have a tyranny buffet, where you just choose to implement certain things.

Let's be real; there are some places that must ban smoking -- like hospitals

And just why is that, exactly?

[DugwayDuke]

"...he is missing an important point. Smoking affects the air the rest of us breathe."

Small children in resturants or on airplanes affect the environment too.

[MarkL]

Let's be real; there are some places that must ban smoking -- like hospitals

Why should a hospital ban smoking? Sure, there are some floors and wards where smoking would have to be banned, like any place where oxygen is in use (if you ever wonder why, watch what happens to a cigarette when exposed to pure oxygen... Just be sure to hold the cig well away from your body using tongs!), or around pulminary care units. Heck, even ban it from inside the hospital, as long as there are places where smoking is allowed, even a lounge with a separate ventilation system.

There are a number of hospitals I've seen where smoking is completely banned, except in the parking lots. There are no smoking signs posted at the sidewalks!

That's just a little ridiculous.

Mark